After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World - Chapter 55

Chapter 55: Beast Tide
Althea hesitated for a moment before jumping down, using the adjacent tree trunks, to face her teammates.

She didn’t speak for a few moments, as if something was stuck in her throat.

However, she soon gathered herself to tell them her theory. “The mob… it is going to attack a place… and I’m pretty sure it’s going to the Royal Territory.”

The others paled, looking at each other, and then at her.

“What do you guys think we should do?” She asked them and they didn’t answer immediately.

Sheila and Harold also looked conflicted, very understandable, considering everything.

After all… their upbringing and humanity told them to go and help, but was it worth risking their and their friends’ lives to do so?

For a group of strangers, no less?

The two were silent for a while, while Fufi and Maya stayed still and silent, sensing the tense atmosphere among the adults.

“They’re going to be in grave danger,” Sheila mumbled after a while, speaking out loud without really answering.

Althea nodded. “About a quarter of those monsters are level 2,” she told them. “Even I would not be able to get out unscathed if I handled them head-on…”

This seemed to have further solidified the seriousness of the danger in their hearts.

“Really?” Sheila couldn’t help but ask again, just in case.

Althea nodded.

“So… what do you suggest?” Althea looked at the two, asking once more. After a while, the silence was broken by Harold.

“Although I am reluctant to fight so many monsters, I feel like I won’t be able to sleep properly if I don’t do anything.”

Sheila looked at them and dipped her chin, also in agreement. As she looked at Althea, she answered in a small voice. “Me too… but we shouldn’t put ourselves in danger either.”

She was shaking a little as she cast her vote.

This was truly a difficult decision, and she was a bit heartbroken as she said this.

After all, this was equivalent to sentencing a lot of people to death, which may or may not include Priya and her children.

Althea looked at the two and saw they were being sincere.

She was relieved to find that no one in her current team had a hero complex.

“I agree. We will help, but only within the scope of our abilities.” She paused, sharp eyes looking in the direction of the monster mob.

“I suggest taking them out from the rear, lightening up the load up front.”

In this way, there would be a window of surprise. Albeit short, it was better than being the ones taken by surprise.

As for whether the lord and his cronies could handle the battle up front, that was no longer their business.

….

Before heading out, Althea and the team gathered some necessary herbs and plants to create the healing potions, mostly the ones focusing on healing and spirit restoration.

She had to use almost all the plants she had in stock.

Althea rushed to create at least one for each of them, making sure she had enough material for a few more in case of emergencies.

Then, ensuring their weapons were all ample and ready, the group soon followed the mob of monsters.

They caught up with the tail of the mob about an hour later, with Althea initiating the attack with her arrows.

This was followed by Sheila and the three close-range fighters guarded them from the front.

Sheila took out her bow and arrow. Harold took out his wooden spear, Maya her Class-E sword, while Fufi symbolically sharpened his teeth and claws.

Althea took out her B-Class weapon as well, very much intent on testing its limits.

She had a feeling that she wouldn’t be able to maximize the weapon, for now, but she was bent on making the best out of it to the best of her abilities.

The Bellagio bow was a beautiful weapon—with rainbow-like sheen and glass-like texture—but she also knew it was one of destruction and practicality.

It was powerful and didn’t need arrows, but every few shots consumed mana, so she readied her guns and wooden bows, in case she ran out of steam.

Soon, more and more monsters noticed their existence and dozens came at them every time.

Those nearby turned their ugly heads to them at the same time, letting out guttural roars.

Althea initiated the attacks, focusing on level 2s for efficiency.

Unlike before, thanks to her new weapon, as long as she aimed well, she could really take them down with one shot.

[Stormdoer (Lv2); +50 copper, +50 experience]

[Tanto Rat (Lv2); +50 copper, +50 experience]

This was the signal for the others to attack, making sure their backs weren’t vulnerable by using a group defense position.

Because of the sheer density of the monsters, Sheila had to use her axe (now with a third left in its durability) before using long-ranged weapons.

Harold and Maya slashed at the monsters nearby, with Maya being guarded by both her father and Fufi (as ordered).

She cooperated with them and made sure things didn’t get too difficult for them, using her arrows to hit particularly difficult enemies.

They killed one when they came, killed two, a dozen, a score.

[Gnomos (Lv1): +30 copper, +30 experience]

[Stormdoer (Lv2); +50 copper, +50 experience]

[Hui Mouse (Lv1): +30 copper, +30 experience]

[Tanto rat (Lv1): +30 copper, +30 experience]

[Juju Toad (Lv1): +30 copper, +30 experience]

[Hui Mouse (Lv2): +50 copper, +50 experience]

[…]

It had to be noted that humans and monsters of the same level were definitely not of the same strength.

They could only handle so much because Althea had a Class-B weapon, but that would be useless if her mana ran out.

Not to mention, she felt the weapon could only be used in a way fit to her level. That was to say, stronger attacks must require more mana, which would have been impractical to use.

The amazingness of Class B defense

equipment was also displayed at this point.

Still, the fight was definitely dangerous. Being surrounded by monsters for so long, how could she only have scratches?

The fight lasted for hours, seemingly endless, and Althea got to the point of using up all the arrows and half her remaining bullets.

The others had at least two weapons scrapped, and Sheila was on her second to the last weapon.

Everyone’s medicine had long ran out. At some point, everyone’s spirits were reduced to less than twenty percent.

It was incredibly tense.

Fortunately, the others had managed to level up, increasing their stats and health, allowing them to last for so long.

The pregnancy symptoms long started affecting her, but she willed herself to get through it.

She uncoiled herself from the tail of the level 2 Hui mouse, darting in the opposite direction and hitting it and its neighbors in the eyes.

From her peripheral vision, she saw Harold wallop several level ones that attacked, protecting Maya who was also handling a level 1 Tanto rat with Fufi’s assistance and protection.

She flitted through the crowd and directly targeted the level 2s to lighten up everyone’s load in the long run.

It wasn’t difficult to aim at these monsters. Even without her accuracy ability, the size of a level 2 compared to lower levels of the same species was quite different.

For instance, Fufi, who had just been taller than her knee before, was now nearly as tall as her waist.

Although they had faster speeds, the current density of monsters also limited their mobilities, making them easier to hit.

She checked her mana and saw she could only make a few shots. Adrenaline flowed through her veins and her vision and instincts sharpened sharply.

Avoiding the attacks of small fries, she vaulted up using their bodies, aiming her arrows, and hitting the several level 2s remaining in the vicinity.

[Stormdoer (Lv2); +50 copper, +50 experience]

[Hui Mouse (Lv2); +50 copper, +50 experience]

[Stormdoer (Lv2); +50 copper, +50 experience]

[Juju Toad (Lv2); +50 copper, +50 experience]

[Juju Toad (Lv2); +50 copper, +50 experience]

With the leaders gone, the mob soon started showing signs of disorganization, making it easier to deal with them.

She no longer dared to spend the tiny mana she had left and took out her katana.

In this last leg, they had no choice but to go beyond their limits. Even when their joints were hurting they continued to slash, parry, and hit like no tomorrow.

Because, well, if they really failed to fight, there really won’t be one in the future anymore.

Another hour later, the mobs on their side had finally lightened up.

They looked at the sky to realize it happened at dawn. It was as if the sky cleared of the darkness, and welcomed the light.

It felt extra meaningful to finish a fight to see this sight.

[Congratulations! You have reached level 5!]

[You have been assessed for occupation: Pharmacist]

[You have been assessed for occupation: Archer]

[STATS:

Name: Althea Witt

Age: 25

Level: 5 (200/15000)

Life: 120/800

Spirit: 143/800 (-5%) +50

Physical: 145 (-5%) +40

Agility: 147 (-20%) +10

Defense: 94 +94

Mana: 800

Physical Potential: B

Mental potential: SS+

Skills:

Active: Elementary Appraisal (D), Perfect Aim (D), Quick Shot (D)

Passive: None

Elemental Affinity: Wood, Water, Earth

Occupation: Pharmacist, Archer

Titles: None

Overall rank: S

Current Status: Gestating: two life forms, weakened state ]

Althea naturally saw the unusual notices and the new line in her stats. However, she did not have the time to study this.

At the thought that they—a group with the weakest level 2—had such a hard time, they couldn’t imagine how a group of level 1s—even if there were hundreds of them—could handle this tribulation.

The group did not even allow themselves another moment of respite, and they rushed to the territory, hoping to rescue a few more lives.